There doesn't seem to be any threat of freezing rain this week, so both Bible studies are on as usual. (Remember, neither of the studies will meet next week, due to Thanksgiving.) Janet is on for treats for Common Grounds at 6:30 PM Wednesday, and at The Perk on Thursday morning (9:30 AM) Carol R. will be sharing something yummy. Danielle won't be available for childcare this week, so we may need a mom to work together with Nola.
What: The WOW Annual Christmas Party
Theme: The Polar Express with a Cup of Christmas Cheer
When: Saturday, December 13th, 6 PM
Where: Amy Rusaw's house
Food: Brinner items (we're having breakfast for dinner)
Suggested dress: Christmas pajamas (or regular jammies)
Gift exchange: Christmas mug stuffed with your creativity
Details: This is going to be a super fun night, ladies! Most of you have seen the movie The Polar Express and know that these little kids take a train ride to the North Pole in their jammies during the night. So we're building the evening around that concept. Wear your pj's (Christmas-themed, if you have some), bring a wrapped Christmas mug filled with goodies that will fit inside (for example, cookies, candy, nuts, hot cocoa packets, etc.) We'll have our usual "Christian women stealing gifts from each other" exchange at the end of the evening! Our potluck dinner will be breakfast items. Your women's ministry team has some fun things planned throughout the evening, so plan now to attend, and feel free to bring a friend with you.
Our Christmas Cookie Exchange will be held the same day at the same place, an hour before the party. If you'd like to participate in the exchange, show up at Amy's at 5 PM with two-dozen cookies and an extra plate. Don't worry, you'll be able to hide your cookies from the rest of us so that you actually get to take them home!
Speaking of the holiday events, it will soon be time to Deck the Sanctuary for Christmas. If you love to decorate and beautify, join us the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 29th at 9:30 AM at the church. Janet will help us get there by providing the scent of her famous cinnamon rolls to lead us to the church kitchen! Pick up your favorite coffee at Scoggins on your way and come put your talents to work. Amy and Debbie always help guide us so things actually coordinate, and we're done within two hours.
I'm going to leave you with a devotional I came across this week.
Move the Stone
“Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, said, “Lord, by now the smell will be terrible because he has been dead for four days.” John 11:39 (NLT)
Martha was a practical woman. When Jesus came to her house to teach, she worked herself to the bone cooking and cleaning so Jesus and His followers could be taken care of. When she complained, Jesus helped her set her priorities straight.
While it was important for her to cook and clean, it was more important for her to be in His presence, to listen to and learn from Him.
Now Jesus has come again to raise her brother from the dead. Though, if you asked Martha, if Jesus had come when they first asked Him to her brother wouldn’t be dead.
And now He wants to open up the tomb.
Martha doesn’t understand any of it.
What I find interesting is that when Jesus asks for the tomb to be opened Martha’s first concern is for the smell. She didn’t express her amazement that Jesus was going to raise her brother from the dead after four days, but that a body dead for four days would stink.
Aren’t we often like that?
God tells us to do something, to take a step of faith, to do our part so He can work. And instead of saying, “Wow. Let’s hurry and do it so we can see what God will do,” we tend to think of the practical before the spiritual. We wonder what people will think, how it could logically happen, how it will smell.
Like Martha, our priorities are wrong. Instead of focusing on what God’s going to do, we are worried about how it’s going to affect us.
Why do you think Jesus asked them to move the stone? If He was about to resurrect a dead body, moving a stone from in front of the tomb was a small thing. But He wanted their participation. He wanted them to put their faith in action. If they believed He was really going to raise a body that had been dead four days, then moving the stone from the tomb was the first step to show their faith.
What stone do you need to move so God can work?
What’s something you know God’s been asking you to step out in faith and do?
What action would you take if you really believed God is Who He says He is?
Stop worrying about the practical and get moving.
